Review of my Aruba Honeymoon (Updated w/ PICS)

So, after a lot of honeymoon research we ended up goong to Aruba and we were so happy we did. We LOVED it. My review base don 1-10.

Liberty Travel, Suzanne Hogan- 7. I really liked working w/ Suzanne (very sweet) and she even called us back to save $$ when airfare dropped AFTER we had already booked it BUT we were very dissaponted when we got to the hotel. After a lot of opinions we booked Radisson. All balcony rooms, on the beach etc.. When we got there we had to pay a lot of extra $$ to upgrade to an ocean view room b/c it said standard on our reservations. Standard means basement, LOL!!!!! DH was not happy with that.

Radisson Aruba- 10. After much arguing at the front desk and after more $$ we got the room of our dreams. Radisson is totally worth the extra $$ but MAKE SURE IT SAYS OCEAN VIEW ON YOUR VOUCHER before leaving to Aruba. I actually think all the hotels are very nice but Radisson is more tropical and beautiful. Great food too.

Amercian Airlines, 10. Great Flight, great service.

Food:
El Gaucho, 7.5- You need to make reservations. DH and I are BIG TIME meat eaters here in NY so we were really looking forward to this famous restaurant and it was a little disappointing. Neither one of us were blown away by the meat. It was good just not great. Very expensive. We won’t go back if and when we go back to Aruba. $50 pp

Laguna Restaurant, 10. Soooooooooooooooooo good. Great seafood. We had the red Snapper and it was delicious. $40 pp

Amazonia, 10. Best steak house in Aruba IMO. DH and I loved it. It is more expensive than El Gaucho but worth it. It is a Brazilian Churrasqueria so it’s fun too. Make reservations. A must go. $60 pp

Sylvia’s house, 3. Gross!! Don’t go. It’s in town so chances are you won’t but it was part of our dinner package with the Kukoo Kunuku.

Carlos N Charlies- 6. O.K Mexican Food. Not my favorite but edible.

Activities:

Jungle Tour, 10!!! DH and I loved it. It is an all day jeep tour and you get to see most of the island. DH drove the jeep so he loved it. You get VERY dirty so wear old clothes. You Snorkel too so wear sunscreen. We booked through DePalm tours. $65 pp

Sunset Sail, 10. Also through DePalm tours. What could be better then watching the sunset on a Catamaran with open bar and your new hubby……………..NOTHING!!!!!!! Do it!!!!!! $35 pp.

Kukuu Kunuku, 9. Bar hopping in a colorful bus was fun. You hit 3 separate bars and you get 1 free drink at each. A lot of fun. $65 pp.

Mexican Night at Carlos N Charlies, 10. Soooo much fun. Like your in Cancun on Sping Break. $60 pp.


I know I’m forgetting something but I hope this helps some. Overall it is a very relaxing and peaceful place for a honeymoon. DH and I really enjoyed ourselves and met great couples in the process. I recommend it.

Message edited 11/10/2003 10:46:48 AM.

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Sounds fantastic. We booked Aruba for our HM in March and I'm SOOOO looking forward to it - we're staying at the Radisson as well.

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

I loved Aruba!!! The jungle tour is great!! Did you go to DePalm Island? If you did, weren't those big blue fish awesome??? They scared me the first time I snorkeled over there.

(In defense of travel agents: I am a travel agent, if you dont ask for an oveanview, I dont just assume you want it. I usually offer a few different choices for views.....Sorry, I just had to defend us travel agents )

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Wow I am surprised you didn't like El Gauchos!
You are the first I heard say that!

As for Amazonia, it's not really a steak house, yet they have steak, it's Brazilian like Curly said... it's like a Greenfield's for those of you going. They have all kinds of meat that servers walk around & keep serving & serving you till you are stuffed! They also have a great salad bar (soryy Curly for adding to your review)

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Oh wait...pics please!!!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Firegal: Make sure you got to Swiss Chalet in Aruba! My parents have a time share in Aruba and we have gone there for 15 years and have tried every restaurant on the island and to us that is the best! Enjoy! Congrats Curly2003

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Thanks.

Jen- I knew I'd be the first to say it but I'm being honest. We didn't Love it.

Amazonia is not specifically a steak house but it was the best way for me to explain it for those who haven't been to a Churrasqueria. And yes, Sald bar is delicious!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I didn't take digi pics and I have no scanner

I asked for ocean view so I was dissapointed but will leave it at that.

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Curly no pics now?

I forgot to say Welcome home

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Thanks Jen. Thank you for all the Aruba advice. It defintely helped. I hope some people find my review helpful as well. Sorry, no Aruba pics.

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

We LOVED Aruba as well. I have to agree with you with not LOVING El Gaucho too Curly, we thought people overrated that place BIG time. I wanted to try Amazonia next time we go too! Glad you had a great time!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

YAY stacedz, now that I came out of th closet about El Gaucho's more will join us, lol I didn't like it

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Curly2003..What exact days were you at the Radisson? My DH and I were there Oct 2-6. I liked the chicken from the Sunset Grill at the Radisson better than the steak at El Gaucho. My husband liked El Gaucho's better...

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Curly I said that when we came back as well. Maybe we got the wrong thing (a sampler platter) and we should have gotten just the steak but our friends who also own a timeshare wanted to go and everyone they talked to, didn't like it either! I want to try that sunset sail that you mentioned, sounds beautiful!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Sunset sail is beautiful!!!!!!!!

Dawnie- We were there from 9/28 to 10/5. We were in the Curacao tower. We probably bumped into each other without knowing it, lol.

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Forgot one restaurant:

Blossoms, 9.5 at the Wyndham. I got the combo (filet mignon, chicken and shrimp). The meat and shrimp were really good. Theis is Hibachi style cooking. Chicken was undercooked so gross but I recommend the restaurant.

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

I guess I have to come over to see your new house AND the pics

WHen can I come

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Lizzie- I'm gonna hit you!!!!!!!!! You are welcome ANYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

We were in room 2201. We were right next to the stairs for the Laguna restaurant and close to the casino and lobby. We only had a gardenview room.
We probably did bump in to each other. I am glad you had a great time. We did too.
Congratulations!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Thanks that does help! I'm leaving for Aruba on MONDAY! woopee!

I don't remember seeing your wedding review So here's a big CONGRATULATIONS to you and your hubby!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Sounds like a wonderful Honeymoon

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Thanks for the review! We're going to Aruba too. And just this weekend, I was talking to someone who had been there & they didn't like El Gaucho either so don't worry, you're not alone! Congrats!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon

Thanks for a great review! We are going in April, so this is very helpful!
Glad you had a great time, and congrats again!

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon (Updated w/ PICS)

Some pics:

http://www.shutterfly.com/os.jsp?i=67b0de21b357a9a68479&open=1

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon (Updated w/ PICS)

Isn't Aruba awesome? I have so many pictures of the damn iguanas, they practically eat out of your hand! Such a tourist!

Looks like you had a blast.

Re: Review of my Aruba Honeymoon (Updated w/ PICS)

The pics are beautiful. We are going to Aruba 2 weeks from today. Also staying at the Radisson.